Shen Yuzhen, daughter of the Governor of Yuezhou, had skin as white as snow, a face as lovely as a red flower, and talent and beauty renowned throughout Jiangnan.
When the realm fell into chaos, her father and brothers offered her to the northwestern warlord, Xiao Sui, Grand Commander of Hexi, as a token of surrender in exchange for sparing the people of their city.
Xiao Sui came from a family of military men. He was tall and imposing, broad-shouldered and muscular, with a cold and ruthless temperament. The idea of cherishing a beautiful woman was foreign to him.
At night, the delicate young woman, dressed in a thin gauzy robe, knelt trembling at Xiao Sui's feet.
He raised his broad hand to her lovely face, so delicate it stirred a man's pity. His rough thumb pinched her snow-white chin until it reddened, and he asked with an amused smile, "Are you afraid of me?"
Xiao Sui was aloof and proud, steady and rational, and a capable military commander. In just two years, he had seized numerous regions, and unifying the realm seemed only a matter of time.
He believed he would never be captivated by beauty. The beauty renowned throughout Jiangnan was merely a plaything in his hands.
Who could have guessed that later, at night, he would tenderly and lovingly soothe the petulant woman in his arms, his voice gentle and indulgent? "Zhen'er, don't be angry. Your husband will make it up to you..."
Later still, every time he conquered a city, he presented all the treasures he had won to her, solely to bring a smile to the beauty renowned throughout Jiangnan.
At first, everyone lamented that the renowned beauty of Jiangnan had been paired with a crude brute from the northwest.
But later, everyone envied Shen Yuzhen, cherished in the palm of a warlord's hand. She even ascended the throne as empress, sharing the emperor's honor and dignity.
Theme: A happy and fulfilling life
